1Lecturer,
2Principal,
3Professor,
4Staff Nurse (Sister Grade-I),
A randomized controlled trial was conducted in neonatal surgical intensive care unit and pediatric surgical ward of a tertiary level centre in 166 hospitalized children including neonates to determine the first attempt success rate and number of attempts of venipuncture using vein illumination device (Device group, DG) and standard method (standard group, SG) by 30 health care professionals (HCP).
Children requiring intravenous access were randomized to have venipuncture with the aid of illumination device (DG: n= 85) or by using the standard method (SG: n= 81). Total 166 observations of venipuncture performed by 30 HCP were carried out in both groups.
Baseline characteristics of children including age, skin color, chronic illness, reason for cannulation except palpable vein were comparable between two groups. Majority HCP were doctors (17/30, 56.7%), while nurses were 43.3% (13/30), in the age group of 21–30 (21/30, 70%), graduate (25/30, 83.3%), having experience of 1–3 years (18/30, 60%) and performing 5–10 venipuncture per day (17, 56.7%). There was significant improvement in the first attempt success rate and the number of attempts in the device group (DG 61.18 vs.SG 37.04, p = 0.002). The risk ratio for failure of venipuncutre for palpable vein was 1.7 [95% confidence interval, 1.3 – 2.1]. After having adjusted for the risk ratio, the success rate for venipuncture in DG group was significant (p= 0.02).
The use of illumination device for venipuncture by the HCP was found to be effective in improving the first attempt success rate and reducing the number of attempts. Using the device as a new technology in patient care by HCP may be an effective method to reduce the number of punctures and thus minimize pain in children.
First attempt success rate, illumination device, venipuncture, Health care professionals (HCP)
